It could be a sex issue. It could be a race issue. It could just be people are upset by her lack of professionalism at that instance. I have no idea. It is so hard to gauge why people react the way they do.

i really didn't think it was that big of a deal. she was fined and missed the chance to win. i think that is punishment enough. think about sports like soccer and baseball. they are constantly screaming at the refs/umps. if you're passionate about your sport, it happens. no big deal.

Yes, people are more shocked when women are angry than when men are. When John McEnroe flipped-out ("You cannot be serious!"), that was celebrated. Was he ever fined?? Was there ever talk that he be suspended for a year??

Yes, it is a sexist issue. And yes, it's unfair. You know what they say about life -- sometimes it unfair.

Bullcrap. That punishment is not nearly severe enough. I really hope she gets suspended. And yes, Johnny Mac has been fined numerous times for all his antics. The men don't go unpunished either. I have played and watched tennis for many many years, and that's about the worst temper tantrum I've ever seen. 10,500 dollars is pathetic.

As much a fan I am of the Williams sisters and all they've done for the sport I think she got what she deserves. Anyone who locks eyes with you takes an aggressive stance while walking towards you in front of millions of people and say I'm going to shove this F'ing ball down your throat has lost all sight of reason and civility and needs to be smacked back into reality.

As her apology suggests she let her passion get the best of her and that's basically it. Let it be a lesson learned.

I hate when men lose it like that too, no one should be exempt. It was right if she got penalized and maybe she deserved worse. I'm with Kia and hypnoticmix on this.

I agree with hypno.Part of being an athlete, particularly at that level, involves the ability to respond to disappointment with grace an professionalism.

Am I shocked?
No. Why would I expect her to behave any differently from any other human in that emotionally heightened situation. It's kind of stupid to expect another human to be better than you because they are a famous athlete or entertainer.
People act in the heat of the moment. If we didn't we would all be dead.

I agree men in team sports especially get off so easily when it comes to this behavior. I'd like to see mothers protesting outside these venues calling them to be better role models for their sons.

People get angry and fly off the handle. I understand she displayed poor sportsmanship, but she was just being human. I agree that men tend to get off a bit lighter, but people seem to think men losing their temper is "normal" and "okay".

This is in no friggen was a racist issue. I swear, anything and everything you do makes you racist. I do think it's all a gender issue. She's a woman, she's supposed to be level-headed at all times, and she gets screwed when she loses her cool. But they certainly put her in her place

Easton, please. If you are an avid tennis fan, that was DEFINITELY not the worse! I've seen John McEnroe throw his racket, use profane language, and act literally like a child for years!!!!! He is famous for those tantrums.

I think the double standard is that she is black and the white establishment that runs tennis did not want to appear like they were coming down on her, so they let her play today. There is nothing wrong with outbursts on the court, a la Connors and McEnroe, I think it spices up and adds to the game, but she did threaten the judge with physical violence.

If an athlete did that in the NFL or NBA, they would be instantly suspended. They would be less concerned about the PC aspect of this because so many of the players, coaches and executives are black. In tennis, it appears to be almost all white, so I think there is a PC sensitivity there that plays into softening the immediate punishment.

As for those that think this is a sexist issue, I would tend to agree with that until she made threatening remarks. That is where she crossed the line. I am male and played sports all through high school and have been an avid fan of almost all sports. I cannot recall an incident where an official was so openly threatened by a player during competition. She was so far out of line it was beyond belief.

who wouldnt get angry, i know i would, i mean its a high stress, high emotion situation and youre going to get tense and emotional and be a bit rash no matter how sophisticated you are. i guess the thing that would get you in trouble is the "threat" of physical violence about shoving a tennis ball down your throat, if serena williams said that to me i think i might believe her, i mean girl is a tank.

IMHO,
She should be suspended or forced to play fall ball ( which she never partakes in)
In any other professional sport, an athlete who makes comments like that, is suspended. $10,000 is a joke. (although I hear it may be pushed upward of $250,000)

oh please, there's been a racist sentiment against the williams sisters from the beginning, from them being called monkeys at matches to not getting the same amount of endorsements as blonde haired blue-eyed white women like kourkova and sharpova despite being ahead of them in rankings. @chrstne, there is such a thing as racialized gender discrimination, women of color are often discriminated against differently and stereotyped differently then white women. i believe this was a gender and racial issue, with serena williams not given the same latitude and praise as john mcenroe. i think the judge made a bad call and shouldn't be allowed to judge at u.s. open's in the future. i think serena should have faced some sort of sanction and she did, so i think thats enough. that ass of a reporter bud collins can go screw himself.

John McEnroe was an asshoIe. there are clearly double standards when it comes to men and women in sport. However what Serena did was completely out of line, like someone said, a professional athlete is expected to cope with ordinary things like these.